Business Development Executive

The Business Development Executive is responsible for growing the client base of Sporting Jobs by identifying, researching and engaging with prospective organisations across the UK and global sport industry.

This is a high-activity, KPI-led outbound role focused on prospecting new companies, building a pipeline of opportunities through cold calling, LinkedIn outreach and networking, and converting qualified prospects into active recruitment clients.

The role requires discipline, resilience, CRM accuracy and a strong commercial work ethic. Success is measured through clear activity metrics and pipeline targets.

Accountabilities

Outbound Prospecting and Lead Generation

• Research and identify prospective client organisations across professional sport, elite sport, sports media, sports technology, and related sectors.
• Conduct high-volume outbound cold calls daily to connect with HR Directors, Heads of Talent, CEOs, and other hiring decision-makers.
• Use the BANT process (Budget, Authority, Need, Timing) to qualify prospects effectively and prioritise pipeline opportunities.
• Utilise LinkedIn (including LinkedIn Recruiter / Sales Navigator where applicable) to identify contacts, send connection requests, and conduct targeted outreach campaigns.
• Attend industry networking events and conferences to represent Sporting Jobs and generate new business leads.
• Secure qualified discovery meetings or briefing calls for the wider Sporting Jobs recruitment team.

Pipeline and CRM Management

• Log 100% of calls, emails, LinkedIn messages, and touchpoints in the CRM system on the same day.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date deal stages, contact records, and pipeline data at all times.
• Track follow-up actions and set next-step tasks within the CRM to ensure no opportunity is lost.
• Achieve and maintain a CRM hygiene score of 95%+ completeness at all times.
• Provide regular pipeline reports to the Recruitment Director with an accurate forecast of new business activity.

Client Relationship Development

• Develop strong, consultative relationships with prospective clients so that Sporting Jobs becomes the trusted partner of choice when they are actively recruiting.
• Ensure that the hiring needs, organisational culture, and commercial priorities of each prospect are understood fully before passing them to the recruitment team.
• Identify cross-selling opportunities to Sporting Group International and manage these introductions professionally.
• Represent Sporting Jobs professionally at all times, upholding the brand values across all client interactions.

KPI’s and Metrics

Daily Activity KPIs

• 60–80 outbound calls per day
• Minimum 2 hours talk time per day
• Minimum 10 personalised LinkedIn outreach messages per day
• 100% call and activity logging in CRM on day of activity
• Same-day follow-up on all warm leads

Weekly Pipeline KPIs

• Minimum 5 new qualified prospects added to pipeline per week
• Minimum 3 discovery meetings or briefing calls booked per week
• Weekly pipeline review submitted to Recruitment Director every Friday
• CRM hygiene score maintained at 95%+ completeness

Monthly Targets

• Minimum 15 new business meetings conducted per month
• Minimum 5 new active client mandates generated per month
• Monthly revenue contribution target – as agreed with Recruitment Director

Compliance and Process

• Ensure that the CRM is kept fully up to date with all relevant information on client and prospect interactions.
• Adhere to all internal processes and workflows as notified from time to time.
• Adhere to GDPR and data protection regulations, and ensure their incorporation into day-to-day working practices.
• Maintain accurate records and support the business with any reporting requirements.

Knowledge, Experience and Capabilities

Critical Experience

• Strong understanding of business development techniques, including outbound B2B calling and LinkedIn prospecting;
• Comfortable making 60–80+ cold calls per day in a structured, metric-led environment;
• Experience using a CRM (HubSpot, Giig or similar) to manage and report on pipeline;
• Strong objection handling skills and the ability to qualify prospects effectively;
• Proven ability to work in a target-driven, fast-paced environment;
• Ability to cold call effectively, generate leads, and build new client relationships from scratch;
• A genuine passion for sport and an understanding of the sports industry is highly desirable.

Critical technical, professional and personal qualities

• Ability to use CRM systems to manage and track own pipeline with precision;
• Strong administrative and organisational skills;
• Able to manage multiple prospects and client conversations simultaneously;
• Able to handle rejection positively and maintain high activity levels under pressure;
• Professional and credible across all levels of contact, from C-suite through to HR and talent teams;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including professional LinkedIn and email outreach;
• Self-motivated with a strong personal drive to hit and exceed targets;
• Clean, full UK Driving Licence.

Additional Information

A strong commercial business acumen is required to understand and operate in this role. The Business Development Executive must be able to identify the right types of organisations and hiring contacts within the sport industry, articulate the value proposition of Sporting Jobs compellingly, and maintain the high levels of outbound activity required to build a sustainable new business pipeline.

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